Braxton Dupree‘s problem at Maryland was that he wasn’t Lonny Baxter. The 6-foot-8, 270-pound center had the same tight end body and similar skills as Baxter, the center on the Terps’ 2002 national championship squad.
But in two seasons in which he got ample opportunity (14 starts), Dupree never submitted to the transformation required for success at Maryland. He didn’t become a Gary (Williams) guy.
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After transferring to Towson, the question now concerning Dupree: Is he a Pat (Kennedy) guy?
The Tigers coach had his doubts when Dupree showed up in the summer of 2009 at 312 pounds. Dupree has since shed the weight. Now he must shed the reputation as a too-nice, too-soft, unmotivated player.
“There are guys who think they’re tough. Then there’s a toughness that comes through determination,” Kennedy said. “That’s what I’m seeing in Braxton — his attitude, his work ethic.”
Kennedy compares Dupree to his greatest player at Towson, Gary Neal, who like Dupree is a graduate of Calvert Hall. Neal arrived at Towson after two seasons at La Salle, averaged 25 points his senior year and played for the San Antonio Spurs.
Kennedy believes Dupree can be a first-team player in the Colonial Athletic Association, where he won’t be required to venture too far from the basket.
“The speed factor was the thing that hurt him [at Maryland]. He can defend people. He can’t defend people away from the basket,” Kennedy said. “For us, in this league, he won’t have to do that.”
